advice , tricks for bigsby string changes

[dragan]

Ive been playing the newport a lot & changing strings on it a lot recently . Now I remember what I dont like about bigsby vibratos . Any advice on string changing ? Keeping the ball ends on the little posts is a pain !

[cynic]

If you never want to mess with it again, look into this.

Callaham has also recently started offering the same solution. There was a recent thread on other Bigsby parts from Callaham, and I'd suspect anything he's making is top notch.

[dragan]

Thanks, I think I will , and also change the other roller while I'm at it !

[dragan]

just was on the callaham site $96 for both pieces , thanks again !

[Bennyboy-UK]

The trick I learned was to place the guitar down carefully on a protective surface, and remove the strings.

Assemble all the tools you might need, then gently start backing out the screws half a turn at a time, take your time on this.

Keep backing them out slowly and carefully.

When they are all out, put them safe, and remove the tailpiece until and put to one side.

Take the bigsby device to the kitchen, make sure you get all the bits together. And hold at waist level.

Press sole of foot onto the pedal of the bin firmly, and hold it there. Remember that not many bins use latching pedals.

When you are happy that the bin lid is open sufficiently, release your grip on the trem parts when directly over the centre of the bin.

Release foot off pedal.

Rotate body 180 degrees, (this may vary dependant upon your individual kitchen layout)

Open fridge. Remove beer.

Open beer, enjoy, and pick up SS1 or Cali, (a centaura or Diablo can be used in a pinch)

Move forward with your life

[dragan]

I think its worth dealing with the hassle , but I like your advice , always willing to have another beer

[tbonesullivan]

just use a pencil to pre-bend the string ends. easy as cake. Still a ton quicker than a floyd rose, that's for sure.

[JohnnyB]

just use a pencil to pre-bend the string ends. easy as cake. Still a ton quicker than a floyd rose, that's for sure.

I use sharp-nose pliers to put the bend at the ball end. Once you do that, the ball's loop slides over the Bigsby protrusion and stays there. The tension of the bent string keeps it in place.

[tomteriffic]

Or you can do this:

http://www.vibramate.com/vibramate-string-spoiler.php

[jaberwock]

I made a wedge out of styrene, cut to fit under the string attachment bar, glued some cloth to the underside to protect the guitars finish, prebend the string ends, clip on the hook, then the styrene wedge holds the strings securely in place whilst you get them up to tension.

jaberwock

[django49]

One other idea is to just keep a plain old dime store eraser nearby.....Pretty much the same thing as making a wedge, but pre-made.....Those little pink parallelogram eraser work well.

[Gino]

I went with the Vibramate stringspoiler and never looked back!

BTW: I think the Callaham front roller is worth every penny and is easy to change while I think changing to his string shaft is a bit of a PITA....

[dragan]

thanks great advice from all. dont know why I didnt think of the eraser thing myself. I like the Idea of the callahm stuff , wondering if I can do the work my self . thanks all ! tried Benny's idea a few times last night ( the beer one ! )

[Steve Haynie]

just use a pencil to pre-bend the string ends. easy as cake. Still a ton quicker than a floyd rose, that's for sure.

I use sharp-nose pliers to put the bend at the ball end. Once you do that, the ball's loop slides over the Bigsby protrusion and stays there. The tension of the bent string keeps it in place.

Or you can do this:

http://www.vibramate.com/vibramate-string-spoiler.php

Pre-bend your strings. It works quickly.

The gadget tomteriffic suggests looks like what I saw in an ad in Vintage Guitar Magazine last night. That was going to be my other suggestion.

[dragan]

yeah I think pre-bending w/ the eraser tick is going to be me course of action until I decicde on the callaham parts

[jaberwock]

Never do a gig with a Bigsby equipped guitar without a backup, changing a string on one those on a dimly lit stage is the stuff of nightmares.

[JohnnyB]

Never do a gig with a Bigsby equipped guitar without a backup, changing a string on one those on a dimly lit stage is the stuff of nightmares.

What about doing the same on a Strat, let alone a bi-directional fulcrum whammy like a Floyd or G&L Dual Fulcrum?

Danger lurks everywhere, I tells ya.

[dragan]

yeah usually take 3 guitars to any gig to cover tunes & typically 2 amps . any string break & that guitar is replaced until break when I can put a new string on. also allows for gettin the right sound for the tunes

you can see some stage gear from afew years ago below by clickin on seetheedge (it was pre hamer though )

[Bennyboy-UK]

Jem can do a pretty rapid in song floydy string change... He's some kind of superhero!

I however, always take another guitar

[Armitage]

Now I remember what I dont like about bigsby vibratos . Any advice on string changing ?

Hint #1 Get someone else to do it.

Hint #2 Read Hint #1 again.

[jaberwock]

yeah usually take 3 guitars to any gig to cover tunes & typically 2 amps . any string break & that guitar is replaced until break when I can put a new string on. also allows for gettin the right sound for the tunes

you can see some stage gear from afew years ago below by clickin on seetheedge (it was pre hamer though )

Well as have to carry my own gear, and generally up at least one flights of stairs, my stage rig is fairly sparse: whichever Tele/Strat is sounding, and playing the best, Messa TA 15, ultralite 1x12 cab, and a couple of pedals; all can be carried simultaneously without the risk of a hernia.